Eerdmans Books for Young Readers publishes picture books, middle reader and young adult fiction and nonfiction. We seek manuscripts that are honest, wise, and hopeful; but we also publish stories that simply delight us with their storyline, characters, or good humor. Stories that celebrate diversity, stories of historical significance, and stories that relate to contemporary social issues are of special interest to us at this time. We currently publish 12 to 18 books a year.

We strongly encourage writers and illustrators to become familiar with our publications and the general trade children's book market before submitting any material. Please review our books in our catalog, on our website, or at your local library or bookstore to determine whether your manuscript or artwork is appropriate for us. We will also be happy to send you a recent catalog upon request.

WRITERS

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers accepts unsolicited hardcopy submissions, but we respond only to submissions we are interested in publishing. While we do not require submissions to be exclusive, we do ask that you inform us if you are simultaneously submitting it elsewhere, and certainly inform us if another publisher has expressed interest in your manuscript. If you have not heard from us after four months, you may assume that your submission does not fit the needs of our list.

For picture book submissions, please include the full manuscript. Except in the case of author-illustrators, we prefer that submissions not include artwork. For novel submissions, you may submit the full manuscript, or a query that includes a synopsis and at least three chapters of the manuscript.

Do not submit the only copy of your manuscript, and do not include an SASE; materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Be sure to include your contact information (including address, email, and phone number) on your cover letter.

Because of the volume of manuscripts we receive, we are unable to track receipt of submissions or respond to any inquiries as to the status of your manuscript. If you would like confirmation that your materials have been received, please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard with your submission. Our mailing of this postcard is not an indication of whether or not we are interested in your manuscript; it will be returned to you before your submission is evaluated, merely as proof that your submission was received.

Illustrators are welcome to submit samples of their artwork. Please mail photocopies or printed media and include a listing of books you have illustrated along with your contact information and your website. Do not send original art or include an SASE; illustration submissions will not be returned. We will keep your samples on file to be considered for projects to be developed in the future.